Manual in Terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has extended, for a period of five years from 1 January 2016, the exemption that private bodies (including independent schools) comply with the requirements of the manual contemplated in section 51(1) of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

PAIA creates a framework under which the right of access to information, as enshrined in section 32 of the South African Constitution can be exercised. The purpose of PAIA is to promote a culture of transparency, accountability and good governance in private and public bodies.

PAIA thus places specific compliance requirements on private and state institutions. In the case of private bodies, PAIA affords a person the right to lodge a request for information with the information officer (head) of a private body.

Additional details are contained in the attached memorandum prepared by the ISASA Policy Unit.